diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/apply/[id]/page.tsx b/frontend/apply/src/app/apply/[id]/page.tsx
index 7141cd5..7ca1607 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/apply/[id]/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/apply/[id]/page.tsx
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ export default function ApplyPage() {
         const applicationData = await applicationAPI
           .getByPositionId(positionId)
           .catch((error) => {
-            if (error.detail === "Application not found for this position.") {
+            if (error.status === 404) {
               return null;
             }
 
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ export default function ApplyPage() {
               return null;
             }
 
-            throw new Error(error.detail || "Failed to load application");
+            throw error;
           });
 
         setPosition(positionData);
diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/components/ApplicationForm.tsx b/frontend/apply/src/app/components/ApplicationForm.tsx
index a938e95..ae561b8 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/components/ApplicationForm.tsx
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/components/ApplicationForm.tsx
@@ -23,6 +23,13 @@ type ReferenceErrors = {
   name?: string[];
   email?: string[];
   phone_num?: string[];
+  non_field_errors?: string[];
+};
+
+type FormErrors = {
+  coverLetter?: string;
+  qualifications?: string;
+  gdpr?: string;
 };
 
 export default function ApplicationForm({
@@ -35,6 +42,7 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
   const [savingDraft, setSavingDraft] = useState(false);
   const [deletingDraft, setDeletingDraft] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [formErrors, setFormErrors] = useState<FormErrors>({});
   const [referenceErrors, setReferenceErrors] = useState<ReferenceErrors[]>([]);
   const [coverLetter, setCoverLetter] = useState(
     existingApplication?.cover_letter || "",
@@ -56,7 +64,6 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
   );
   const [editable, setEditable] = useState(!existingApplication || isDraft);
 
-  // Load existing references when editing
   useEffect(() => {
     if (
       existingApplication?.references &&
@@ -88,6 +95,80 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
     const updated = [...references];
     updated[index] = { ...updated[index], [field]: value };
     setReferences(updated);
+
+    // Clear errors for this field; phone/email errors are coupled so clear both
+    if (referenceErrors[index]) {
+      const updatedErrors = [...referenceErrors];
+      if (field === "phone_num" || field === "email") {
+        updatedErrors[index] = {
+          ...updatedErrors[index],
+          phone_num: undefined,
+          email: undefined,
+        };
+      } else {
+        updatedErrors[index] = { ...updatedErrors[index], [field]: undefined };
+      }
+      setReferenceErrors(updatedErrors);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const validateReferences = (): ReferenceErrors[] =>
+    references.map((ref) => {
+      const errors: ReferenceErrors = {};
+      const hasAnyField = [
+        ref.name,
+        ref.title,
+        ref.phone_num,
+        ref.email,
+        ref.comment,
+      ].some((v) => v?.trim());
+
+      if (!hasAnyField) return errors;
+
+      if (!ref.name?.trim()) {
+        errors.name = [t("applicationForm.referenceNameRequired")];
+      }
+
+      if (!ref.phone_num?.trim() && !ref.email?.trim()) {
+        const msg = t("applicationForm.referencePhoneOrEmailRequired");
+        errors.phone_num = [msg];
+        errors.email = [msg];
+      } else {
+        if (
+          ref.email?.trim() &&
+          !/^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/.test(ref.email.trim())
+        ) {
+          errors.email = [t("applicationForm.invalidEmail")];
+        }
+        if (
+          ref.phone_num?.trim() &&
+          !/^[+\d\s\-().]{5,20}$/.test(ref.phone_num.trim())
+        ) {
+          errors.phone_num = [t("applicationForm.invalidPhone")];
+        }
+      }
+
+      return errors;
+    });
+
+  const validateAndOpenSubmitModal = () => {
+    const errors: FormErrors = {};
+
+    if (!coverLetter.trim()) errors.coverLetter = t("applicationForm.fieldRequired");
+    if (!qualifications.trim()) errors.qualifications = t("applicationForm.fieldRequired");
+    if (!gdpr) errors.gdpr = t("applicationForm.gdprRequired");
+
+    const refErrors = validateReferences();
+    const hasRefErrors = refErrors.some((e) => Object.keys(e).length > 0);
+
+    if (Object.keys(errors).length > 0 || hasRefErrors) {
+      setFormErrors(errors);
+      if (hasRefErrors) setReferenceErrors(refErrors);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    setSubmitSuccess(false);
+    setShowSubmitModal(true);
   };
 
   const handleSubmit = async (status: "draft" | "submitted") => {
@@ -98,34 +179,30 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
     }
 
     setError(null);
-    setReferenceErrors([]);
     setShowDraftSavedMessage(false);
 
     try {
       if (!isDraft) {
-        // Create new application
         const createdApplication = await applicationAPI.create({
           position: position.id,
           cover_letter: coverLetter,
           qualifications,
           gdpr,
           status,
-          references: references,
+          references,
         });
 
         if (status === "draft") {
-          // Enter draft mode
           setIsDraft(true);
           setDraftId(createdApplication.id);
         }
       } else if (draftId !== null) {
-        // Edit existing application draft
         await applicationAPI.update(draftId, {
           cover_letter: coverLetter,
           qualifications,
           gdpr,
           status,
-          references: references,
+          references,
         });
       }
 
@@ -136,17 +213,27 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
         setShowDraftSavedMessage(true);
       }
     } catch (err: unknown) {
-      const error = err as {
-        message?: string;
-        fieldErrors?: { references?: ReferenceErrors[] };
-        non_field_errors?: string[];
+      const error = err as Error & {
+        fieldErrors?: {
+          references?: ReferenceErrors[];
+          non_field_errors?: string[];
+        };
       };
 
-      if (error.non_field_errors) {
-        setError(error.non_field_errors.join(" "));
-      } else if (error.fieldErrors?.references) {
-        setReferenceErrors(error.fieldErrors.references);
-        setError(t("applicationForm.validationErrorsInReferences"));
+      const refErrors = error.fieldErrors?.references;
+      if (refErrors?.some((e) => Object.keys(e).length > 0)) {
+        setReferenceErrors(
+          refErrors.map((refErr) => {
+            if (!refErr.non_field_errors?.length) return refErr;
+            return {
+              ...refErr,
+              phone_num: refErr.phone_num ?? refErr.non_field_errors,
+              email: refErr.email ?? refErr.non_field_errors,
+            };
+          }),
+        );
+      } else if (error.fieldErrors?.non_field_errors) {
+        setError(error.fieldErrors.non_field_errors.join(" "));
       } else {
         setError(error.message || t("applicationForm.failedToSubmitApplication"));
       }
@@ -159,7 +246,7 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
     }
   };
 
-  const openDeleteModal = async () => {
+  const openDeleteModal = () => {
     if (!isDraft) return;
     setShowDeleteModal(true);
   };
@@ -175,7 +262,9 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
       window.location.reload();
     } catch (err) {
       setError(
-        err instanceof Error ? err.message : t("applicationForm.failedToDeleteApplication"),
+        err instanceof Error
+          ? err.message
+          : t("applicationForm.failedToDeleteApplication"),
       );
       setShowDeleteModal(false);
     } finally {
@@ -197,10 +286,15 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
           <FormTextarea
             label={t("applicationForm.coverLetterPrompt")}
             value={coverLetter}
-            onChange={(e) => setCoverLetter(e.target.value)}
+            onChange={(e) => {
+              setCoverLetter(e.target.value);
+              if (formErrors.coverLetter)
+                setFormErrors((prev) => ({ ...prev, coverLetter: undefined }));
+            }}
             rows={6}
             required
             disabled={!editable}
+            error={formErrors.coverLetter}
           />
         </div>
 
@@ -209,10 +303,18 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
           <FormTextarea
             label={t("applicationForm.qualificationsPrompt")}
             value={qualifications}
-            onChange={(e) => setQualifications(e.target.value)}
+            onChange={(e) => {
+              setQualifications(e.target.value);
+              if (formErrors.qualifications)
+                setFormErrors((prev) => ({
+                  ...prev,
+                  qualifications: undefined,
+                }));
+            }}
             rows={6}
             required
             disabled={!editable}
+            error={formErrors.qualifications}
           />
         </div>
 
@@ -238,6 +340,7 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
                     updateReference(index, "name", e.target.value)
                   }
                   disabled={!editable}
+                  required
                   error={referenceErrors[index]?.name?.[0]}
                   icon={
                     <svg fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
@@ -296,6 +399,12 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
                 />
               </div>
 
+              {editable && (
+                <p className={styles.formDescription}>
+                  {t("applicationForm.referenceContactHint")}
+                </p>
+              )}
+
               <FormTextarea
                 label={t("applicationForm.commentLabel")}
                 value={ref.comment ?? ""}
@@ -337,21 +446,28 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
             <input
               type="checkbox"
               checked={gdpr}
-              onChange={(e) => setGdpr(e.target.checked)}
-              required
+              onChange={(e) => {
+                setGdpr(e.target.checked);
+                if (formErrors.gdpr)
+                  setFormErrors((prev) => ({ ...prev, gdpr: undefined }));
+              }}
               disabled={!editable}
             />
             <span className={styles.checkboxLabel}>
+              <span className={styles.requiredAsterisk}>*</span>{" "}
               {t("applicationForm.gdprConsentText")}{" "}
               <a
-                href="https://utn.se/dokumentarkiv"
+                href={t("applicationForm.gdprPolicyUrl")}
                 target="_blank"
                 rel="noopener noreferrer"
               >
-                https://utn.se/dokumentarkiv
+                {t("applicationForm.gdprPolicyLinkText")}
               </a>
             </span>
           </div>
+          {formErrors.gdpr && (
+            <p className={styles.fieldError}>{formErrors.gdpr}</p>
+          )}
         </div>
 
         {error && <p className={styles.errorMessage}>{error}</p>}
@@ -363,14 +479,7 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
                 <Button
                   type="button"
                   onClick={() => handleSubmit("draft")}
-                  disabled={
-                    savingDraft ||
-                    submittingApplication ||
-                    deletingDraft ||
-                    !coverLetter ||
-                    !qualifications ||
-                    !gdpr
-                  }
+                  disabled={savingDraft || submittingApplication || deletingDraft}
                   className={`button ${styles.draftButton}`}
                   loading={savingDraft}
                 >
@@ -393,18 +502,8 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
 
               <Button
                 type="button"
-                onClick={() => {
-                  setSubmitSuccess(false);
-                  setShowSubmitModal(true);
-                }}
-                disabled={
-                  savingDraft ||
-                  submittingApplication ||
-                  deletingDraft ||
-                  !coverLetter ||
-                  !qualifications ||
-                  !gdpr
-                }
+                onClick={validateAndOpenSubmitModal}
+                disabled={savingDraft || submittingApplication || deletingDraft}
                 className={`button ${styles.submitButton}`}
                 loading={submittingApplication}
               >
@@ -448,14 +547,19 @@ export default function ApplicationForm({
       <Modal
         isOpen={showSubmitModal}
         onClose={() => setShowSubmitModal(false)}
-        title={submitSuccess ? t("applicationStatus.submitted") : t("applicationForm.submitApplication")}
-        primaryButtonText={submitSuccess ? t("common.backToHome") : t("common.submit")}
+        title={
+          submitSuccess
+            ? t("applicationStatus.submitted")
+            : t("applicationForm.submitApplication")
+        }
+        primaryButtonText={
+          submitSuccess ? t("common.backToHome") : t("common.submit")
+        }
         onSubmit={() => {
           if (submitSuccess) {
             router.push("/");
             return;
           }
-
           handleSubmit("submitted");
         }}
         primaryButtonDisabled={submittingApplication}
diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/components/FormInput.tsx b/frontend/apply/src/app/components/FormInput.tsx
index e8c695f..21d58d1 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/components/FormInput.tsx
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/components/FormInput.tsx
@@ -32,7 +32,10 @@ export default function FormInput({
 
   return (
     <div className={styles.formFieldWithIcon}>
-      <label className={styles.formLabel}>{label}</label>
+      <label className={styles.formLabel}>
+        {label}
+        {required && <span className={styles.requiredAsterisk}> *</span>}
+      </label>
       <div style={{ position: "relative" }}>
         {icon && <span className={styles.inputIcon}>{icon}</span>}
         <input
diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/components/FormTextarea.tsx b/frontend/apply/src/app/components/FormTextarea.tsx
index 47c8629..e0bbb7d 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/components/FormTextarea.tsx
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/components/FormTextarea.tsx
@@ -30,7 +30,12 @@ export default function FormTextarea({
 
   return (
     <div className={styles.formField}>
-      {label && <label className={styles.formLabel}>{label}</label>}
+      {label && (
+        <label className={styles.formLabel}>
+          {label}
+          {required && <span className={styles.requiredAsterisk}> *</span>}
+        </label>
+      )}
       <textarea
         name={name}
         value={value}
diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/components/Navbar.tsx b/frontend/apply/src/app/components/Navbar.tsx
index 3499583..0a22d5b 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/components/Navbar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/components/Navbar.tsx
@@ -91,20 +91,16 @@ const Navbar = () => {
   return (
     <>
       <div className={styles.navbar}>
-        <a
-          className={styles.logo}
-          href="https://www.utn.se"
-          target="_blank"
-          rel="noopener noreferrer"
-        >
+        <Link className={styles.logo} href="/">
           <Image
             src="/utn_standard_bla.png"
             alt="Logo"
             width={200}
-            height={51.25}
-            style={{ height: "auto" }}
+            height={51}
+            priority
+            style={{ width: "100%", height: "auto" }}
           />
-        </a>
+        </Link>
 
         {mounted && (
           <>
diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/i18n/locales/en.json b/frontend/apply/src/app/i18n/locales/en.json
index e73cd53..f125dad 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/i18n/locales/en.json
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/i18n/locales/en.json
@@ -195,6 +195,13 @@
   },
   "applicationForm": {
     "validationErrorsInReferences": "Please fix the validation errors in the reference fields",
+    "referenceNameRequired": "Name is required",
+    "referencePhoneOrEmailRequired": "Either a phone number or an email is required",
+    "referenceContactHint": "At least one contact method (phone or email) is required",
+    "invalidEmail": "Invalid email address",
+    "invalidPhone": "Invalid phone number",
+    "fieldRequired": "This field is required",
+    "gdprRequired": "You must accept the GDPR policy to submit",
     "failedToSubmitApplication": "Failed to submit application",
     "failedToDeleteApplication": "Failed to delete application",
     "teamLabel": "Team",
@@ -216,7 +223,9 @@
     "removeReference": "Remove Reference",
     "addReference": "Add reference",
     "gdprTitle": "GDPR",
-    "gdprConsentText": "I accept that my data is saved in accordance with Uppsala Union of Engineering and Science Students integrity policy that can be found within the link:",
+    "gdprConsentText": "I accept that my data is saved in accordance with Uppsala Union of Engineering and Science Students",
+    "gdprPolicyLinkText": "Privacy Policy",
+    "gdprPolicyUrl": "https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1d4nEhNhShkDGnnYO4BM4Osm3eJ3vRI9_",
     "saveDraft": "Save draft",
     "draftSaved": "Draft has been saved",
     "submitting": "Submitting...",
diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/i18n/locales/sv.json b/frontend/apply/src/app/i18n/locales/sv.json
index 6eac0e6..cff2780 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/i18n/locales/sv.json
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/i18n/locales/sv.json
@@ -155,6 +155,13 @@
   },
   "applicationForm": {
     "validationErrorsInReferences": "Det finns fel i referensfälten. Var god åtgärda dessa.",
+    "referenceNameRequired": "Namn krävs",
+    "referencePhoneOrEmailRequired": "Antingen telefonnummer eller e-post krävs",
+    "referenceContactHint": "Minst en kontaktmetod (telefon eller e-post) krävs",
+    "invalidEmail": "Ogiltig e-postadress",
+    "invalidPhone": "Ogiltigt telefonnummer",
+    "fieldRequired": "Det här fältet är obligatoriskt",
+    "gdprRequired": "Du måste godkänna GDPR-policyn för att skicka in ansökan",
     "failedToSubmitApplication": "Det gick inte att skicka ansökan",
     "failedToDeleteApplication": "Det gick inte att radera ansökan",
     "teamLabel": "Grupp",
@@ -176,7 +183,9 @@
     "removeReference": "Ta bort referens",
     "addReference": "Lägg till referens",
     "gdprTitle": "GDPR",
-    "gdprConsentText": "Jag godkänner att mina uppgifter lagras i enlighet med Uppsala teknolog- och naturvetarkårens integritetspolicy som finns via länk:",
+    "gdprConsentText": "Jag godkänner att mina uppgifter lagras i enlighet med Uppsala teknolog- och naturvetarkårens",
+    "gdprPolicyLinkText": "Integritetspolicy",
+    "gdprPolicyUrl": "https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B8uSEPFZ2uc7QUtObnN4Q0toQUU?resourcekey=0-jDgt6095n9N8VZp5tIUekg",
     "saveDraft": "Spara utkast",
     "draftSaved": "Utkastet har sparats",
     "submitting": "Skickar...",
diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/styles/application.module.css b/frontend/apply/src/app/styles/application.module.css
index a3ddbf4..c6bebbc 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/styles/application.module.css
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/styles/application.module.css
@@ -157,6 +157,11 @@
   margin-bottom: 0;
 }
 
+.requiredAsterisk {
+  color: var(--error-500);
+  margin-left: 2px;
+}
+
 .inputError,
 .textareaError {
   border-color: var(--error-500);
diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/styles/navbar.module.css b/frontend/apply/src/app/styles/navbar.module.css
index 77490c9..b55ca43 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/styles/navbar.module.css
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/styles/navbar.module.css
@@ -7,7 +7,12 @@
     padding: 0px 50px;
     justify-content: space-between;
     position: relative;
-    z-index: 10;
+}
+
+.logo {
+    display: block;
+    width: 200px;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
 .navbarItems {
@@ -72,6 +77,8 @@
     cursor: pointer;
     padding: 8px;
     gap: 4px;
+    position: relative;
+    z-index: 102;
 }
 
 .hamburgerIcon {
@@ -142,14 +149,19 @@
     width: 70%;
     height: 100vh;
     background-color: white;
-    z-index: 99;
-    transition: right 0.3s ease;
+    z-index: 101;
+    /* delay visibility until slide-out finishes so focus can't reach hidden links */
+    visibility: hidden;
+    transition: right 0.3s ease, visibility 0s linear 0.3s;
     overflow-y: auto;
     box-shadow: -2px 0 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
 }
 
 .mobileMenuOpen {
     right: 0;
+    visibility: visible;
+    /* make visible immediately on open, delay only on close */
+    transition: right 0.3s ease, visibility 0s linear 0s;
 }
 
 .mobileMenuContent {
@@ -201,7 +213,7 @@
     }
 
     .logo {
-        max-width: 150px;
+        width: 150px;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/frontend/apply/src/app/utils/api.ts b/frontend/apply/src/app/utils/api.ts
index ec7307b..38bd8d8 100644
--- a/frontend/apply/src/app/utils/api.ts
+++ b/frontend/apply/src/app/utils/api.ts
@@ -51,18 +51,15 @@ async function fetchAPI(endpoint: string, options: RequestInit = {}) {
   });
 
   if (!response.ok) {
-    const error = await response
+    const errorData = await response
       .json()
       .catch(() => ({ message: "Request failed" }));
-    if (error.message) {
-      const errorObj = new Error(
-        error.message || `HTTP ${response.status}`,
-      ) as Error & { fieldErrors?: Record<string, unknown>, status: number };
-      errorObj.status = response.status;
-      throw errorObj;
-    }
-    error.status = response.status;
-    throw error;
+    const errorObj = new Error(
+      errorData.message || errorData.detail || `HTTP ${response.status}`,
+    ) as Error & { fieldErrors?: Record<string, unknown>; status: number };
+    errorObj.status = response.status;
+    errorObj.fieldErrors = errorData;
+    throw errorObj;
   }
 
   return response.json();